Give Careful Thought

 Haggai  1:5  Now this is what the LORD Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways.”

            Haggai is an interesting book for it is a book of prophecy and hope. The Book of Haggai is brief—a total of 38 verse spread over two chapters. It is a call for the people to rebuild the temple—the House of the LORD.

            For those of you familiar with my writing style, you know that I am often drawn to things which might otherwise be overlooked. Today is no exception. Five times the people are cautioned to “give careful thought” to their ways and what they are doing. This seems like a good word for us today. How careful are we with our thoughts, words, and actions? How much do we know in our heart is wrong, but we simply let it slide? Do we give careful thought to our ways? The hard truth is that our ways—our thoughts, words, and actions—often become the only bulletin board of Christian life that some people see. What does our life show them?

            Haggai is also a promise of hope. For those who obey, there is a wonderful promise, also given at least five times.

Haggai 2:4 “Be strong, all you people of the land,” declares the LORD, “and work. For I am with you,” declares the LORD Almighty.

Gracious Heavenly Father,

            Thank you for your promise to be with your faithful ones. Forgive us when we fail to give careful thought to our ways. We may not be working on a temple building, but we are definitely working for your soon-coming Kingdom. Grant us the strength to be strong and complete the tasks you give us to do.

            In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, Amen.

 

The devotional Give Careful Thought appeared first on Write From My Heart at writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com